(MyFoxBoston.com) -- A U.S. Ski Team member from New Hampshire was one of two people killed in an avalanche in Soelden, Austria.
Ronnie Berlack, 20, of Franconia, N.H., and Bryce Astle, 19, of Sandy, Utah, were free skiing with four other U.S. Ski Team members but were unable to ski out of the avalanche, according to the association.
"Ronnie and Bryce were both outstanding ski racers who were passionate about their sport - both on the race course and skiing the mountain," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Tiger Shaw in a statement. "Our hearts go out to the Berlack and Astle families, as well as to their extended sport family. Both of them loved what they did and conveyed that to those around them."
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Berlack grew up racing in New Hampshire, going to Franconia public schools until attending Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont for high school, where he also pursued ski racing.
According to a statement from his hometown, Berlack dealt with an injury last year, but had "high hopes for this coming ski season."
"Most of us in this small New England town know the Berlack family and love hearing their stories of where Ronnie was headed next," the statement continued. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Berlack family."
"Our thoughts & prayers are with the family of Ronnie Berlack of Franconia, who was making us all proud as a prospect for the U.S. Ski Team," said New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan in a statement.
New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen also released a statement about the skiers deaths.
âI'm deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of Bryce Astle and Franconia's Ronnie Berlack, two promising young athletes with incredible talent. My thoughts are with all of their teammates and loved ones.â